South Africa ended the day on 140/4 with a lead of 40 runs against Australia on Day 3 of the 3rd Test at Newlands.

It was another sunny day in Cape Town on Day 3 of the 3^rd Test. The pitch appeared placid under the warm conditions, which favoured the batters due to the minimal cracks on the pitch.

Australia started Day 3 with the same flow and composure they ended with on Day 2, with Josh Inglis and Alex Carey driving the batting side past 350.

Inglis gained the 3rd century of the series, making 101 off 132 balls; he received a warm round of applause from the Aussie squad for his crucial role on the pitch.

Only 3 balls after his century, Inglis was caught by Ryan Rickelton, ending his 185 off 287 balls partnership with Carey. Simon Harmer took his second wicket of the day as he found Carey’s edge, finished off by a beautiful catch from Aiden Markram.

The Proteas maintained this momentum as Kagiso Rabada took his first wicket of the Test after having a troubling time with the ball on Day 2. He bowled Pat Cummins out for 0 off 6 balls.

The Proteas gained their 4^th wicket before lunch as Gerald Coetzee nicked off Mitchell Starc, with Ryan Rickelton taking a simple catch behind the stumps.

The Proteas shifted the momentum back in their favour, with Australia going into Lunch on 411/8 with a lead of 82.

After Lunch, the Australian side appeared to settle back into the swing of things as Cooper Connolly and Nathan Lyon fought through the scorching heat in hopes of increasing the Aussies’ lead.

Connolly took a ball to the head as he attempted to duck a Marco Jansen bouncer, showing the Proteas’ intent.

Wiaan Mulder disrupted the partnership, taking his first wicket by finding Nathan Lyon’s edge; he was dismissed for 1 off 25 balls.

Jansen took the final wicket with Connolly caught and bowled out for 29 runs off 83 balls.

Australia were all out for 429 with a lead of 100 runs.

It was time for the Proteas to start their second innings. With a 100-run deficit, the pressure on the top order to bat deep was essential.

But just 2.5 overs in, the home side lost their first major wicket, when opening batter Aiden Markram was sent walking after a soft dismissal off the bowling of Mitchell Starc.

Captain Pat Cummins’ superb field placement led to South Africa’s second wicket in the 7th over, as David Bedingham sent the ball flying towards Lyon waiting at deep square leg. The Proteas batters found themselves in an uncomfortable position, being 2 wickets down in the opening 10 overs.

South Africa went into Tea having lost 2 important wickets, giving Australia an advantage. The Proteas ended the session on 53/2.

After Tea, Temba Bavuma and Marques Ackerman seemed to be the partnership to beat.

Bavuma reached a milestone 4000 Test runs in the 16th over. Ackermann made his half-century in the 21st over, providing South Africa with the stability they have been needing.

Starc took his 2nd wicket, sending Ackerman walking with a searing bouncer just touching the face of his bat. There was Confusion on Ackerman’s face when the umpire declared time up on his review.

The Proteas were 95/3 at this point.

Temba Bavuma was bowled out for 35 off 115 balls by Nathan Lyon as South Africa lost their 4th wicket before stumps.

They ended the day on 140/4 with a lead of 40 runs.